37 comments:

There are so many things that you could use a podcast for. You could use it in a classroom for giving instructions to your class when there is going to be a substitute teacher. You could use it in the church by recording a short sermon and putting it on your church website. You could do a short podcast for your job that is like a live newsletter. It could tell this weeks happenings for the company, and you could email it to everyone to listen to. You could also use it like I did, to record your kids singing or saying a new word, so that family and friends could hear them also. One other way that I thought of was to let my kids use it as an expression of feelings or just to have fun. All kids love to record themselves and then listen to it. There are just so many ways to use a podcast, I had fun recording my kids.

1. Leaving the subsistute the lesson plans for the day.2. Lesson Review for the day, for students that were absent- along with links to the homework assignments.3. You could use it on a WEBQUEST, introducing the WEBQUEST.4. In PE, you could show clips of Track & Field events, or basketball drills they can work on at home.5. You could introduce yourself to parents via the wiki page. Since you really don't meet parents until 1/2 through the grading period at parent teacher conferences. I think parents would appreciate it! Would maybe make them feel like they were connected with their child and what they are expected to do in my classroom.

I work in the technical field - computer repairs and IT technical support. One of the most frustrating things about my job is having to tear apart a computer equipment, and if it's a model I've never worked on before, can be somewhat intimidating not knowing where the parts and screws go after everything's been taken apart. Taking things apart is easy - putting it back is, well, not so much...

Of course, there are technical and service manuals we do look up. But it would be so much easier if we could view or download a podcast about a particular model and select a particular sub-topic, for instance- how to add additional memory upgrades to a computer. Just hit the "play" button and Presto! You've just added more memory to your computer. Other sub-topics about upgrading or repairing a computer would be- replacing a logic board, the trackpad on a laptop, the LCD display on a flat panel screen, and so on.

2. I plan to make a series of podcasts that review lab skill techniques. Students that were absent on the day I explained the skill (or students that "have slept" since I last explained the technique) can view a podcast to familiarize themselves with the skill.

3. I use a lot of music and singing in my classroom. Students would enjoy creating, recording and sharing their science songs with their classmates! They already love to use garage band whenever they can.

4. Podcasts from other teachers/disciplines might be used to review a concept (such as graphing) prior to doing a lab that involved that particular concept.

5. Podcasts might be a fun way to leave substitute plans?!? Or maybe a way for students to communicate with me on a day when I am gone!

1. I can listen to podcasts to learn new skills.2. Record lessons for students to go back to.3. Record book narration for beginning readers to read along with.4. Use a podcast to integrate music into the classroom. 5. Record discussions or brainstorming ideas so they can be referred back to.

At first I couldn't see a lot of applications in an elementary art room. But after some research and some reflection I can think of several ways we could use podcasting in school.Using GarageBand you can easily add images and record audio over those images.- Students could scan their art and discuss/critique their own artwork.-Adding some photos of local architecture and students could read reports on the history of the buildings.-Interview with a famous artists would be a great way for them to display their knowledge of artists.-Cultural artifacts could be another way to share reports.-As a teacher, I could use a podcast to explain some basic techinique, like perspective drawing that is usually pretty cut and dry. Students could rewind if they need to.

I left out my 5 lists of how a podcast would benefit the industry I work with, and they are:

1. How to upgrade a computer, with step-by-step Instructions, in visual form, at how to go about doing it.

2. New hardware and software releases. Pitfalls to watch out for, and if these particular upgrades apply to your particular computer model.

3. A live podcast from a convention center, of new releases and gadgets. Perhaps a representative of your company is in the convention in Las Vegas, and podcasts daily updates to the home office.

4. Podcasts from the home office to the traveler in the convention in Las Vegas, updating traveler of news from the home office, with questions and concerns about any new releases.

5. An update or reminder about how to troubleshoot a specific issue with a computer. Perhaps the issue can only be duplicated at a specific time or from a certain location, or with a mixture of circumstances. A recording is made of the issue as it happens and podcast to the software or hardware manufacturer to determine what causes the issue based on the visual presentaiton - which would yield a better set of results than a written record.

1. Podcasts can be used to give instructions to young children who can't read yet.2. They can be used to read stories aloud to children.3. Older family members could record stories about the "old days" to pass on to younger family members.4. I'm going to use them to give instructions to teachers in how to use the new software they'll be asked to use this year.5. They can be used to add a personal touch to a web page-- kind of like adding another dimension- text, graphics and SOUND.

1. Podcasts can be used to read stories to younger children.2. Children can read books out loud and practice fluency and voice.3. Letting children read or tell stories to intro. public speaking.4. Practice drama, storytelling, or singing.5. Just having fun and learning about computers!

As a teacher:1. I would use it as a tool for students who missed the school for the day. Their assignments could be explained thoroughly. And/or words (like vocabulary or foreign language classes) could be pronounced clearly.2. I would also use this as a review or an extension of a lesson. You could play period music for a history class, or explain a special interest that goes along with a topic that you weren't able to get to due to time limitations.3. I would use this as a self-guided tour through an art museum, zoo, or other field trip type place that the class could not attend as a whole.

As an administrator:4. I would use this for teachers who may have missed staff meetings. 5. I could also use this as a self-guided tour through the school for visitors in my absence.

As the IT Director of my buisness:6. I would use this to give to employees who missed staff meetings.7. I could also have links on our website to podcasts regarding HR related issues as well as safety requirements.

Podcasting would be a great way to convey information to people who spend a great deal of time on the road. For example if you commute to your job and have let’s say an hour drive you could use that time to learn a subject of interest. I think it would be a much more productive way to pass the time other than just listening to the radio.

Ideas about use of PODCASTING that are popping around in my head:1. Lesson highlights and guidance for independent practice can be downloaded weekly.2. Introduction to each new unit can be delivered as podcasts.3. Overview of assessment tools (formative and summative) could be provided via podcast.4. Back-to-School Night talks could be delivered via podcast to parents who missed your session.5. Interviews with authors and poets archived on the internet could be shared with your class via podcast.6. Advertisements for upcoming drama productions can readily be produced as podcasts.7. Students could take on literary persona and deliver a presentation in character via podcast. This would make efficient use of class time as all students could prepare costume and make up at home and all students could do a focused viewing without the distraction of their upcoming performance.8. Students could make a podcast presentation from one of their portfolio publications.9. Podcasting could lend itself as readily to a “How to…” speech as to a persuasive rhetorical presentation.10. Examples of past successful model projects could be made available to current classes on podcast.

Here are some ways that I have thought of to use podcasting thus far:1. Give parents and students detailed information and class projects so students can refer back to it at any time. Also, this way parents know what it is their students are to be doing since most students do not relay information to their parents very well.2. Have a podcast of work for a student that is out sick for an extended period of time so they don't get to far behind. This way it will be easier for them to keep up and they get some instruction.3. Extra instruction for those students that are needing help to understand the concept. This way they can go over it again and again on their own time and at their own pace. Also, their parents will be able to hear how it is being taught at school.4. Students doing reader's theatre. This would be great to have them work on reading with expression since all we will be hearing is voices. We could then compare different podcasts throughout the year to see their growth.5. Have students become an expert on a topic and create a podcast about their topic to inform others.

Ways a middle school science teacher, college math/science/computer teacher, and mom can use podcasting:1. To record science lecture material for students and let them review the material or access it if they are absent.2. Podcasting would be AWESOME for a science dissection lab (such as a fetal pig). It would allow students to review all the bones and muscles from home before the test (or to participate in the lab if they are absent)3. This is a great way for my long distance family members to see videos of my one year old son.4. When teaching a college computer class, I could do the entire thing in podcasting or have students create their own as part of the answer to an assignment.5. Podcasting would also be helpful when teaching math concepts. It would allow students to actually SEE the examples that we do in class.6. It would be an excellent way for parent-teacher communication or staff-principal communication (and save lots of time).

Conduct a podcast so that all students see/hear the same material even if they are ill or in different classes.

Have students creat podcasts to be viewed by individuals across the world. Students might be more apt at creating a project that could be seen by peers from around the world.

A podcast can easily be redone so that you keep your information current. For instance, current events change daily and it would be hard to find printed material on the subject, but podcasts can be done and seen almost immediately.

There are several different ways I could use podcasting in my classroom. 1. This would be a great way to reteach a lesson or topic in the resource room. I could prepare many lessons ahead of time.2. I'm always looking for new and fun ways for students to present book reports. Podcasting would be be a creative book report. It would give my students an opportunity to learn how to make a podcast.3. Podcasting could also be a good communication tool. This would be a great opportunity for parents to hear their students reading or presenting a project during class.4. Podcasting would also be helpful with sending important messages and reminders home.5. I would also help my students make a podcast about themselves. Many of my students did not have access to computers outside of school. It would be great if I could teach them as much as possible.6. It would also be fun to start the morning off with a podcast explaining what our day is going to consist of, and what they are going to be doing for morning work.

I thought of another great way to use podcasting in my classroom. Some of my students are expected to participate in classes that are way above their reading level. I could make a podcast by reading from a reading, social studies, and/or science book. Then my students could listen to it ahead of time. This would allow them to be able to participate in class even if they cannot read the text.

Ways I could use a Podcast in Social Studies....1.) We have many ELL students and students with IEPS in our school and I could put the lectures on podcast to be used in the resource room for those students.2.)I could post my lecture to the internet for students to listen to at home if they miss school or want to review for a test.3.)Students could role play interviews with one student being the famous person in history while one interviews.4.)A history talk show5.)Students could record their opinions on current events

There are several ways that podcasts can be used in the classroom. As an educator who teaches Social Studies and enjoys using technology,these are some of my ideas:1. I would create podcasts at my company's website that explain to parents and students commonly asked questions about how exams are processed, how to get questions answered about specific questions in our courses and so on.2. I would create podcasts where students could read short excerpts from historical documents and give brief biographies about the authors of the quotations from the Declaration of Independence and other documents to reinforce materials in classroom lectures.3. I could record podcasts of my lectures about specific topics like the significant contributions that inventors have made to American society and give information about where to find out more about great historical figures like Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver, and Marie Curie.4. I could use podcasts to give information about student homework assignments that require students to listen to the podcast to get information on websites to complete classroom assignments.5. I could use podcasts to conduct interviews with community leaders in different parts of the country to show how different communities face similar problems, but address those issues according to the needs of that part of the country.6. I could use podcasts to create an audio play, like plays from the days of old time radio and allow students the experience of integrating history from the 1930s and 1940s and see the challenges of creating advertising and keeping the audiences attention at the same time.7.I could allow students to make their own podcasts, discussing a topic from their course as an "audio" paper, even integrating it into a PowerPoint presentation students collaborated on a project. Each student's podcast segment would be a way to assess their participation in the collaborative learning process. These are just a few ideas that come to mind.

1. Outline for class projects2. Review for sick/absent students for the day.3. Use them as tutorials on using thing. ex. Software/hardware/making thing/etc.4. Use to create an update that is quickly accessible. ex.changes to class plans/software update changes/movie reviews/ etc.5. Be used for others to make a response podcast to a podcast they viewed prior. A good example would be critiquing others work. A live feed would be a better solution but this would be a great way to critique over long distance.

My five ways of using podcasting in my classroom:1. I think at the very beginning of the year it would beneficial to do a podcast of my classroom policies and expectations, that way the parents are hearing the exact same thing I am telling the students. Sometimes you don't meet all of the parents until back to school night which is usually about a month into the school year. I think this keeps expectations clear and the parents feel involved.2. I would do podcasts for introducing new vocabulary words. I could read them and their definitions so the students would be more familiar with the new words.3. Podcasting would be a good way to let the students practice reading out loud and may help build their confidence in that area.4. I think that I could try to do a podcast of a day of lesson that I am going to be absent to take some of the pressure off the substitute teacher.5. I could post podcasts of review material on my wiki that students who need a little extra help can go to when they are working on their homework(I'm thinking for my pre-Algebra and Algebra classes) and listen and maybe their question would be answered before they ever came to school the next day.These are the ways that I could see myself using podcasts to begin with. I think that once I get more comfortable with them, there will be more ways that I could use them.

I really like Angela's idea of making a podcast of classroom rules and expectations. I usually send home a syllabus for parents to sign but something they could access on the internet and listen to would be great too. I think that a podcast would be really useful in math when I am going to be absent. Most of the time I have to give "busy work" because I can't count on a sub understanding and being able to explain a specific topic in Algebra 1. With the capabilities of delivering a podcast of the lesson perhaps coupled with a note handout, it would be almost as good as if I were there. Truancy is a huge problem at my school so there is no way I could make a podcast for absent students (i.e. a podcast every day) but in other circumstances where I might have to only make one occasionally to help out an absent student I could see it being very useful. Another way of catching up an absent student, I could have a student make a podcast for their classmate explaining what they've missed. Especially if someone is gone for an extended period of time. Last year I had a chronically ill student miss a week or so at a time, this would be a time I could have another student make a podcast and give to him weekly to keep him involved in what we're learning. We could also use podcasts within our department to keep each other up-to-date on important things going on. A lot of times someone will be absent during a meeting and the department chair has to hunt them down, this would be a way to save time in tracking someone down. A final way would be to continue communication with parents. It might be an area where you could make announcements about upcoming tests and the material that will be covered. This would help students, parents, and possible tutors know exactly what will be covered on an upcoming test.

I could use podcasts for many different uses in a world language class. You cannot learn a foreign language from a book. You have to be able to hear the language in order to be able to pronounce it correctly and with fluency.

For teachers, I really like the idea of using podcasts for sub lesson. I seem to create "work" or show a cultural movie w/ related ?s when I'm absent you almost never get a Spanish speaking sub. Using podcasts, I could explain the directions to the teacher and students. Students can't try to get out of assignments because they ould hear exactly what is expected of them behaviorally and academically. I could also leave a list of new or recycled vocab for students to practice and repeat, even if the sub doesn't know Spanish or feel comfortable reading the words phonetically. Sometimes when I have a sub I leave a test, but because my tests include a listening aspect, I have to leave that part for when I return. Instead with a podcast, I could have the sub play that listening part of the test just as if I were there.

I too like the idea of having a podcasts for absent students. When students return, I have them copy notes from another student and give them make up work. It isn't fully beneficial because all they have are words on paper, but never know how to pronounce or use the words. They are trying to digest the new information while I have already moved onto the application part of the lesson. Students then get frustrated and give up on this lesson or Spanish altogether because they are lost and confused.

These same podcasts could be used for students who did not focus well or who need additional help. Students who did not focus can view it again for more understanding.

Related arts teachers usually do not have the assistance of Special Education teachers in the classroom to help the struggling students, inclusion students, nor do Special Ed teachers know the language to help outside the classroom.

Parents feel similiarly helpless because they can't help their children with pronunciation, grammar lessons, or cultural content in a target language.

I believe that by viewing these podcasts again by the students, special education teachers and parents alike can enable others to help children succeed and possibly learn some Spanish too. This would combat the attitude that learning languages is too difficult.

Teachers could also use podcasts for explaining homework assignments to students and parents. Many students tell their parents that they don't have homework either because they forget it or forgot how to do it. Providing a podcast would help parents keep on top of what assignments are due and what is exactly expected out of their children for the assignments. There would be no excuse for completing assignments. Podcasts could be used as reminders to practice speaking specific Spanish phrases, bring in family photos treats for "fiestas". Some parents hesitate to send in food or precious family photos so the podcast could provide verification too. It would bring better results and probably less phone calls.

I like podcasts too for student work. I remember going to a language lab when I was taking Spanish classes where we had to listen to native speakers talking about different cultural aspects. Other times we had to tape record a lengthy answer in Spanish so that we were practicing grammar lessons and becoming comfortable with using the language too. This would help students to become more comfortable with the language, help the teacher see where improvement needs to be made, whether its pronunciation, fluency or comprehension, and help students to become comfortable speaking the language in front of class, either by reading in the language or practicing practical dialogues.

When looking at how I could use pod casting I have come up with a few. The funny thing about teaching aviation is that I deal with a broad range of students. Some of my students travel, some live locally. Pod casting would be great in that I could incorporate my lectures to the wiki. This would allow the students to access my lectures were ever. It also would add a great deal of security to them in that they would be able to stop the lecture, rewind it and listen again if they are having trouble understanding. To me this would reduce my work load in answering questions. Pod casting would also allow the students the ability to have a flexible schedule within the learning environment. The class would be open 24-7. That is nice.

1. It can be used as a training tool.2. A to do list from supervisor to employee.3. To record meetings.4. To record announcements for the Sunshine Committee.5. Can be added to our Facebook or website to give fun new facts or updates on our facility.

I’ve already used a podcast to post myself playing guitar. This could be expanded to any instrument, to singing or performance poetry. It could be used to record interviews with people who are experts on or have experience with class topics. Students could use podcasts for storytelling, or to post original creative works that are subject based. Podcasts can be created as a way of connecting with student teachers or as a way of providing instruction to students when you have to miss school. Some teachers have said that podcasts can be used by students in sort of a debate type of format in which they lay a claim, premise, evidence, etc and that doing this gives students a chance to understand their vocal inflections while increasing their critical thinking and communication skills. I like the idea of using podcasts to recap important subject topics; this could be done daily or weekly. Podcasts could be included on a page that has links to relevant material. This would be great for all students, and especially for those who missed class. Podcasts are a great way to introduce yourself to parents.

The possibilities for using podcasting seem endless. I could envision myself creating project podcasts to help students and parents understand instructions for difficult assignments. Podcasts could also offer a great opportunity to help students review for tests. You could pose a question, instruct students to pause the podcast, come up with an answer and then check their answer with one you provide on the podcast. Another use would be for younger students who are working on oral reports. Students could prepare podcasts to allow themselves to hear their presentations and elicit feedback from instructors before presenting a final project. It would be fun for students to create podcasts after field trips and then use the podcasts to assist in writing activities related to the trip. A final use for podcasting would be to model reading fluency for students and then allowing students to practice reading fluency using self-created podcasts.

After having actually created a podcast, I see a lot more uses for podcasts in the classroom. This could include...

- Read-a-long stories - I loved this idea from Mr. Weller. I remember enjoying these when I was little, and I have used factory-made tapes and CDs in my classroom. Using podcasting, it's simple to make your own stories and to make them available to students anywhere they can access the internet.

- Book Talks - Students can create their own podcast after reading a book. They can give a book talk which summarizes the story and encourages others to read it (think Reading Rainbow).

- Daily news or weather reports - Students can take turns being in charge of creating the news or weather report for the day. These could be posted on a school or classroom website or wiki for parents to access.

- Study guides - Teachers can create an audio study guide for material covered in class. This could be posted on the class website or wiki for students to access from home.

- Teaching resource - Teachers can find existing podcasts on a nearly limitless variety of subjects to provide students will supplemental information.

- Engage parents - Teachers can share student work with parents.

- Keep absent students up-to-date - Absent students can access podcasts to get class lectures, daily activities, and homework assignments.

- Read-a-louds - Students can practice oral reading by creating podcasts while reading stories aloud. Younger students can then access the podcasts to improve listening comprehension.

I haven't created a podcast yet, but I have been thinking of ways to use podcasts in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, I would use them to demonstrate how to read certain works like: Romeo and Juliet, Oedipus, The Odyssey, and so on. This would also give my voice a break if I already have the podcast on file for a class. Podacasts would help explain processes in detail. A kind of step by step guide. This type of communication could also be used as a type of substitute teacher. This could work even if there is a sick student not just for a sick teacher.In my everyday life, I could use podcasts to explain schedules to babysitters, helping my husband finish preparing a meal, reading to my children at night. Since I work nights, I rarely get to read them bedtime stories. Really, the possibilities are up to you.

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About Me

I am a Continuing Lecturer for the Departments of English and Linguistics and Continuing Studies at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. A proud US Army Veteran, serving with the US Army Europe during the height of the Cold War, I'm also happily married for over forty years. My wife and I have three grown, well-adjusted children and two precocious grandchildren!